Bob Minchella's dog owner counseling

30/08/2025

16/08/2025

Thoughts?

16/08/2025

"Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common heart disease in dogs. In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding a potential association between grain-free dog foods and the development of DCM.

To evaluate this possible connection, this study randomized healthy adult dogs to one of four complete and balanced diets, each formulated with different ingredients, to assess their impact on cardiac function and overall health over an 18-month period.

The diets included:

A grain-free diet with potatoes and peas
A grain-inclusive diet with peas and pea fiber
A grain-inclusive diet without peas or potatoes
A grain-free diet with potatoes

No changes in cardiac function were observed between the grain-free and grain-inclusive groups, and taurine levels remained unaffected by diet.

These results show that foods designed to provide similar nutritional profiles—regardless of specific ingredients—supported heart health in healthy adult dogs. This study highlights the importance of balanced, high-quality nutrition in maintaining canine heart health."

16/08/2025

Dogs are glyphosate sponges, and this time of year it’s hard to avoid chemical exposure, it’s everywhere.😷

They walk barefoot, roll in grass, lick their fur—and rarely shower off environmental contaminants. Inside the body, Glyphosate (Round-Up) mimics the amino acid glycine, hijacking protein function and disrupting health. Glycine is an amino acid that supports detoxification by helping the liver produce glutathione, a key antioxidant involved in removing harmful substances like glyphosate.
💦Yes, rinse those paws after exposure to sprayed areas, but supplementing with extra glycine 💊 can help block glyphosate’s effects inside the body by occupying those sites and supporting healthy protein synthesis and detox pathways. This amino acid does more than build proteins—it defends them 🦾.

16/08/2025

Plastics are porous: they trap oils🩸 that quickly turn rancid. Unless washed daily (which isn’t realistic), plastic containers can spoil the pet food stored inside.

Proper storage is key to slowing harmful chemical changes and stopping bacteria🦠 growth.

Want to know the safest ways to store your pet’s food, toppers, treats, and supplements? Check out The Forever Dog LIFE—the New York Times Best Seller and #1 most-sold pet recipe book of the year, where in "Chapter 1 - Feeding Your Pet: the section titled 'Food Storage' we cover the best ways to store your pet food toppers, treats, meals, or supplements.

Now available (and 50% off) at Amazon, Target, and other favorite retailers.

16/08/2025

FYI....

The PURR Act of 2025 is back in Congress—and it could change pet food regulation as we know it.

On the surface, creating one federal system might sound like progress. But hidden in the fine print are risks that could impact transparency, safety, and your right to know what’s in your pet’s food. If passed, this bill could:

⚠️ Remove state oversight in favor of full federal control with even poorer engagement
⚠️ Permit vague ingredient labels using “and/or” statements
⚠️ Make it harder for pet parents to identify exactly what they’re feeding

What’s at stake isn’t just regulation—it’s trust, safety, and accountability in the pet food industry. Email your Representatives in Congress (House of Representatives) to not support the PURR Act— sample email and more info in comments ⬇️

16/08/2025

Accurate...

excited

06/08/2025

😂

What are you manifesting for this coming week? Goals for your dogs?

06/08/2025

😁

Prebiotic Toppers for your Dog's Bowl! 🫐

While dogs and cats don’t require added starch to be healthy, they do need healthy sources of fiber to maintain a thriving microbiome🦠, and consumption of only protein and healthy fats are inadequate for this purpose. Their gastrointestinal ecosystems need fiber-dense roughage (aka the prebiotic fibers that constitute “good carbs”) without the added glycemic index/sugar spike of consuming refined, highly processed starch. The “good carbs/bad carbs” discussion can be summed up by most nutritionists in one statement: there’s a big metabolic difference between eating broccoli and eating white bread.

🥄Start with small amounts, rotate ingredients, and serve raw or lightly steamed.

👉 You can find more on building a better bowl with the right fiber-rich foods and fresh toppers in our book The Forever Dog LIFE - packed with practical tips, recipes, and nutrition insights.

06/08/2025

Anyone live with a dog that has arthritis? How do you manage it?

06/08/2025

Hmmm......

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance- "Results indicated that puppies ≤3 months old should not be allowed access to stairs, but should be allowed outdoor exercise on soft ground in moderately rough terrain to decrease the risk for developing radiographically detectable hip dysplasia."

06/08/2025

😁

time